Cougar Connection
March 2023
Keith is being Renovated!
First, safety is a priority in this bond, so items such as fencing, classroom phones, and lockdown buttons have already been completed. The most noticeable change happening this summer in regard to safety will be the building segmentation which will partition the instructional areas into sections behind additional locked doors for safety purposes.
Second, in MARCH 2023 the preparations will begin for additional paving that will be added to provide the ability to stack more vehicles onsite during dismissal and reduce the congestion on Mason road once the project is complete in August 2024. For our Cougar families who participate in sports through FSA, you will want to pay particular attention to this component as it will likely reduce the parking availability beginning during spring break of this school year.
Lastly, the building is also getting a nice "facelift" and furniture upgrade! Bathrooms will be renovated, carpet and lighting will be updated, and the library will get new shelving and furniture including new maker space tables! We are excited about the changes that are coming, but we are also preparing for the challenges and adjustments that are inevitable with construction projects. We will keep you updated throughout this WILD adventure!
STUDENT DRESS CODE: SHOES
Our goal at Keith Elementary is to provide a safe, engaging learning environment each day. We are asking for your help to ensure all students are safe in P.E. and recess by wearing appropriate footwear daily.
As we begin to enter the warmer months, students may be tempted to wear flip-flops or other backless sandals, but we ask that you help us by ensuring students always wear shoes with a back and preferably rubber-soled. While Crocs are not expressly excluded, students must keep the back strap on their ankles in order to safely participate in the running and jumping activities that occur throughout the day.
Thank you in advance for helping us keep all students safe by ensuring they wear the appropriate footwear daily.
Superintendent Fun Run
Register Now! Superintendent Fun Run!
TENTH ANNIVERSARY!!
Join CFISD and Keith Elementary staff, students, community members, and business partners as we lace up our running shoes and meet at the Berry Center and Cy-Fair FCU Stadium for the tenth annual Superintendent’s Fun Run on Saturday, April 1, 2023.
The annual fundraiser benefits the Cy-Fair Educational Foundation (CFEF), which awards higher education scholarships to graduating high school seniors of CFISD. For more information about CFEF, visit their website at thecfef.org. Register for the Fun Run on SchoolCash Online.
March Family Calendar
Counselor's Corner
Hello Keith Families,
Spring is in full swing! We have a lot of fun events planned for the remainder of the school year. As always if you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out to your grade-level counselor.
Lisa Sudtelgte (Grades K, 2, 4) Lisa.Sudtelgte@cfisd.net 281-213-1750 X1
Nicole Carroll (Grades PK, 1, 3, 5) Nicole.Carroll@cfisd.net 281-21301750 X2
Counselor Tips
Are you wondering about ADHD? There are 3 different types of ADHD:
ADHD inattentive type - characterized predominately by inattention and distractibility
ADHD hyperactive type - characterized by impulsive and hyperactive behaviors
ADHD combined type - characterized by impulsive and hyperactive behaviors and inattention and distractibility. This is the most common type
If you would like more information you can watch this short 1-minute video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j2PqoFCzX0
You can also read more information here: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/sites/default/files/documents/health/publications/adhd-what-you-need-to-know/adhd-in-children-and-teens-what-you-need-to-know.pdf
Your child's pediatrician is the best place to start if you have questions. They will be able to help you with the next steps in deciding if your child may have ADHD.
Counselor Lessons
In March we will be talking with our older grades about test-taking tips and how to combat test anxiety. With our younger grades we will be talking about friendship at the beginning of the month, and responsibility later in the month.
Gifted and Talented Information
Nominations for GT testing for this school year have closed. If your child was tested this year results will be sent home on April 3rd with your student.
To find more information about the CFISD Gifted Program you may visit this link: https://www.cfisd.net/Domain/2373
If you have any additional questions about GT testing or the GT program please email Nicole.Carroll@cfisd.net
Credit by Exam Information
Students in K-5 will have four opportunities during the school year to use “credit-by-exam” to accelerate to another grade level. Students will only have one opportunity to test for each grade level considered.
Students who earn scores of 80% or better on each component of the credit-by-exam will qualify to advance one grade. Only one grade level may be “skipped” each year. No retests will be given.
If you are interested in getting more information about credit-by-exam, please get in touch with Nicole.Carroll@cfisd.net
Student Attendance
Student attendance is a focus at Keith Elementary. There is no substitution for kids receiving first instruction from their teacher. Attendance is taken every day at 10:00. If your child is at school at 10:00, they will be counted as present. Our goal is to have 95% attendance or better every day. If your child is absent, we ask that you provide a note for the absence which “excuses” the absence. An excused absence simply means a reason was provided for the absence, but it is still counted as an absence because the student was not present and did not receive instruction that day. An unexcused absence means there was no reason provided for the absence with a parent note. Late arrivals and early pick-ups may not affect attendance but do affect the first instruction your child receives. We ask that you please be mindful of your child’s attendance as it is directly related to their academic success in school.
STATE TESTING UPDATE: STAAR ONLINE
As we enter the second semester, we wanted to remind you of an important change to the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (or STAAR) testing program. Beginning in the 2022-2023 school year, STAAR will be administered as computer-based tests only. Paper tests will no longer be administered. This is a decision made by the Texas Education Agency and implemented statewide.
To prepare students for the transition to computer-based testing, our amazing teachers have been incorporating technology into lessons, introducing the online testing platform, and practicing online assessments throughout the year.
The online platform is available as an APP on all CFISD student Chromebooks. Students are able to access the platform and practice questions from home. The platform can also be accessed from a personal device if you would like to spend time exploring it. Directions for accessing the online platform from a CFISD Chromebook and a personal device are linked here. Additionally, there are videos available that preview some of the online tools available. You can access a list of videos by clicking here.
It is important for students to develop the habit of bringing their fully charged Chromebook and charger to school every day. Chromebooks are used daily during instruction and having a fully charged Chromebook and charger each day allows students to participate in classwork and to practice in the online platform. Your support in making sure your child is prepared each day is greatly appreciated.PTO UPDATES
Badge and Birthday Marquee Orders
Keith Elementary
Email: keith@cfisd.net
Website: cfisd.net/keith
Location: 20550 Fairfield Green Boulevard, Cypress, TX, USA
Phone: 281-213-1744
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KeithCougarsCFISD
Twitter: @CFISDKeith